Advice Alert! Why do caregivers take care of everyone else except ourselves, at least, I do. I'm last on the list, and you better believe something will almost always take the place of me giving myself permission to relax. It could be my upbringing, personality type, family dynamics
Take care of yourselves, caregivers! I was kindly given tips and recommendations at the beginning of entering the spinal cord injury world, but I could not put them into action, I was too overwhelmed and consumed with caregiving duties. Just when I thought my plate was full, life would add another obstacle.
If I could rewind time, I would change a few things in the caregiving department. I would have protected my back for one; within the first year of Zack's injury, we started lifting him instead of using the Hoyer lift. We found that a 2-man lift was much faster, and my 16-year-old boy liked that method much better. Looking back now, I can't believe that was how we did his morning routine, but we had just gotten into that habit. We ended up giving away the Hoyer lift because it was not being used and taking up space. I didn't miss it. I was used to doing 1-man lifts. I am paying for it now, over a decade later, as I now have lower back issues. My back is weak; the smallest thing can throw it out of alignment. I wear a soft back brace, and use ice or heat as necessary. Stretching first thing in the morning is one of the best things I can do. We have now re-purchased a Hoyer lift, which is our only way to lift my son these days.